Section 144A in The Maharashtra Village Panchayats Act, 1959
144A. [ Power to take action where default is made by Panchayat in taking over or maintaining rural drinking water supply schemes. [Section 144A was inserted by Maharashtra 56 of 1981, Section 9.]
(1)Where a Panchayat makes a default in taking over any rural drinking water schemes within the specified period, which it is its duty to take over under sub-section (1) of section 45, or makes a default in maintaining such schemes properly, the State Government may, without prejudice to any action may be taken against such Panchayat under any other provisions of this Act, arrange for the operation and maintenance of such schemes through the Zilla Parishad. It shall then be competent for the Zilla Parishad to levy a general water tax and a special water tax within the limits of such Panchayat, and the provisions of sections 157, 163 and 164, of the Maharashtra Zilla Parishads and Panchayat Samitis Act, 1961 shall mutatis mutandis, apply to the levy and collection of such taxes.(2)It shall also be competent of the State Government or the Zilla Parsihad to recover the expenditure incurred by it for the operation and maintenance of such schemes, by making necessary adjustment against any grants or other moneys due and payable to the Panchayat under any statute or otherwise.]
